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Scarcity and Environmental Impact of Mineral Resources—An Old and Never-Ending Discussion

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  • Mario Schmidt

    (Institute for Industrial Ecology, Pforzheim University, Tiefenbronner Str. 65, 75175 Pforzheim, Germany)

Abstract

A historical overview shows that mankind has feared the scarcity of mineral resources, especially metals, for many centuries. In the first half of the 20th century, this discussion was marked by the great military demand for raw materials, followed by the growing world population, increasing consumption and environmental awareness. From then on, there was less talk of regional shortages, but more discussion of a global scarcity or even a drying up of raw material sources worldwide. Although these forecasts are still controversially discussed today, the assessment of resource depletion has become an integral element of Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) or Life Cycle Impact Assessments (LCIA) of product systems. A number of methodological approaches are available for this purpose, which are presented and applied in a series of articles as part of a special issue of “Resources”. The fundamental question is also addressed, namely to what extent the assessment of resource depletion in the context of an environmental study such as LCA is appropriate.

Suggested Citation

  • Mario Schmidt, 2018. "Scarcity and Environmental Impact of Mineral Resources—An Old and Never-Ending Discussion," Resources, MDPI, vol. 8(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jresou:v:8:y:2018:i:1:p:2-:d:192360
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rodrigo A. F. Alvarenga & Ittana De Oliveira Lins & José Adolfo de Almeida Neto, 2016. "Evaluation of Abiotic Resource LCIA Methods," Resources, MDPI, vol. 5(1), pages 1-21, February.
    2. Lawrence D. Meinert & Gilpin R. Robinson & Nedal T. Nassar, 2016. "Mineral Resources: Reserves, Peak Production and the Future," Resources, MDPI, vol. 5(1), pages 1-14, February.
    3. Felix Müller & Jan Kosmol & Hermann Keßler & Michael Angrick & Bettina Rechenberg, 2017. "Dematerialization—A Disputable Strategy for Resource Conservation Put under Scrutiny," Resources, MDPI, vol. 6(4), pages 1-32, December.
    4. Lauran Van Oers & Jeroen Guinée, 2016. "The Abiotic Depletion Potential: Background, Updates, and Future," Resources, MDPI, vol. 5(1), pages 1-12, March.
    5. Johannes A. Drielsma & Ruth Allington & Thomas Brady & Jeroen Guinée & Jane Hammarstrom & Torsten Hummen & Andrea Russell-Vaccari & Laura Schneider & Guido Sonnemann & Pär Weihed, 2016. "Abiotic Raw-Materials in Life Cycle Impact Assessments: An Emerging Consensus across Disciplines," Resources, MDPI, vol. 5(1), pages 1-10, February.
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